The Fator brothers grew up in a small Idaho town and began their careers riding on Western United States bush tracks.

Eldest brother Laverne Fator (1899-1936) was riding for owner/trainer Stuart Polk who would sell the rising young star's contract in July 1919 to Harry F. Sinclair, owner of the renowned Rancocas Stable.

[12] While finishing 1922 at the racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, it was announced on December 31 that Stuart Polk had sold Mark Fator's contract to Sam Hildreth.

[13] The next day Mark Fator was ordered to return to the East Coast to join his brother Laverne as a member of the Rancocas team.

Not having ridden for thirteen years, at age 36 Mark Fator and other jockeys such as 42-year-old Lavelle Ensor began coming out of retirement in 1942.